Edgar (Ed) Russell Fox, age 101 ¾ of Springfield Missouri, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2024.

Ed was born on January 7th, 1923 in Chicago Illinois to Sadie and Frank Fox, both from Chicago.

At the age of 17, in 1940, he enlisted into the Army National Guard where he was a horse groomer.

He later joined the USMC in August 1941, in time to deploy during WWII. He was there during the Battle of the Midway, and a forward observer and photographer on Iowa Jima and in Nagasaki after the first Atomic bomb. When his time with the Marines was over, tired of so much battle, he joined the Army as a motion picture photographer and went to Korea where he earned a Bronze Star securing a historical record of combat operations. He continued his photography career in the Army and while stationed in Kaiserslautern Germany, he met and married the love of his life, Edna Christine (Chris) on Nov 11, 1961.  She was a teacher on base, he was a soldier.  Ed later transitioned to becoming a recruiter and career counselor in the Army and was stationed in Springfield Missouri.  Receiving an Army Commendation Medal, he retired from the military June 1, 1966.  During his last year he had been asked to attend a soldier's funeral, a soldier that he had enlisted and who went to Vietnam. It was then he knew, enough was enough.

4 Mar 1940 – 27 Sep 1940. US Army National Guard. Horse Groomer

5 Aug 1941 – 7 May 1947. USMC, Manning a pillbox during the Battle of Midway, and a forward observer on Iwo Jima, WWII

8 Jun 1949 – 18 Jun 1952, US Army, Combat Motion Picture Photographer Korean War

19 Jun 52 – 1 Jun 1966, US Army, Operations NCO Photo Unit, Recruiter/Counselor. Vietnam War

Paid up lifetime member of Marine Corps Leage 993, American Legion Post 639, VFW Post 3404

After the military he worked with the US Forest Service. He and Chris traveled all across America, ultimately returning to Springfield.  Where he volunteered with the Marine Corps League, working closely with the Toys for Tots program. He was also on the team as their "music", playing taps at funerals. He also volunteered with the Springfield sheriff's department as a Reserve Citizen police officer. And volunteered with Rainbow Network, helping with supplies to Nicaragua.  His most rewarding position he said was as a teacher's aide at Holland elementary school.

Ed is predeceased by his parents, sister Dorothy, and his wife of 57 years, Edna Christine (Chris) Holman, who passed Oct 1, 2019.

He is survived by his son Mark, (wife Debra and 2 grandchildren Eric and Morgan). His daughter Deborah Fox and son James Smith (wife Charlotte) from his first marriage.  He is also survived by his good friend Lynn Quinn, along with her husband Kevin and their daughter Montana. Ed and his wife Chris were babysitters for their daughter Montana, and their friendship goes back almost 30 years.

Visitation for family and friends will be at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home at 1947 E. Seminole St, Springfield Missouri on Friday, November 1, 2024 from 5:30-7:30 PM. Funeral services will begin at 7:30 PM.  Following his cremation, at a later date, his military escort to the Missouri Veterans Cemetery at 5201 S. Southwood Rd, will be provided by the American Legion and Warrior Watch Riders. And taps will be performed by the Marine Corps League.   Reception provided by Ed will be held immediately following the cemetery at American Legion Post 639.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Marine Corps League Detachment 993, P.O. Box 2302, Springfield MO  65801.

The Memorial Slideshow can be viewed here .